Needle mechanism



18 1 Oct 927 w. HUELLER NEEDLE MECHANISM Filed May'2ef1923 4 Sheets-Sheet -1 [I III Oct. 18, 1927.

W. HUELLER NEEDLE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 26. 1923 lilil IN VEN 7 01? W 6; M A TTORNEY 27 w. HUELLER NEEDLE MECHANISM Filed May 26. 1923 4 sheets sheet 4 IN VE N TOR iwrjfizeir A TTORN E Y Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

UNI-TED STAT ES PATENT WALTER; I-IUELLER, OE? UNI-QM, NEW' JERSEY.

This invention relates to needle mechaiism' for embroidery machines and has for its primary object to provide a mechanism adaptable to embroidery machines of present standard construction whereby the operation of the needles may be easily and quickly changed in the embroidering of in tri'catedesigns upon dress goods, laces and other materials.

An embroidery machine embodying my present improvements provides in the one machine a combination of three features which have heretofore only been found in separate machines, namely, a needle carriage having stable or fixed needles; secondly, meansffor automatically controlling the operation of needles mounted to reciprocate upon the carriage in accordance with the de sign being embroidered, or the different colors of the design, and, thirdly, a hand operated means for controlling the stitch forming movements of the reciprocating needles.

It is also an object of my present iniprovcment to,pr0v1 de improved means for applying relatively different tensions to threads or cords of different weight which are used in embroidering various designs.

It is also an important feature of my present invention to provide a means for controlling the operation of needles in sections, in accordance with the design being embroidered and also in accordance with the different colors in the designs, and in the provision of means which will insure the absolute stability of they individual needles in operation so that extreme accuracy is obtained and the production of faulty and unsalable goods obviated.

It another object of the invention to provide automatically operating perforating means associated with each needle and .u'apted to provide an opening therethrough the work with respect to which the stitches are applied by the needle.

ll ith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved needle mechanism for embroidery machines,

and in the form, construction and relative,

arrangement of the several parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

in the drawings wherein I have illustrated one simple an d practical embodiment of the invention and. in which similar refew Application filed May 26,

. i NEEDLE aca sm- 923.' Serial No. 641,592.

ence characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views? Figure 1 is a side elevation of the needle mechanism and its operating means as constructed in accordance with my present improvements; i I

Figure 2 is a top planv view of a partof the needle mechanism; I

Figure 3 is a detail elevation of the pattern plate;

Figure, 4 holder;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section through the needle carriage; I

Figure 5 is a fragmentary front end elevation of the carriage;

Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating the needle carriages arranged in series and operated from acommon power shaft; i

is a similar view of the plate Figures 7 and 8 are detail perspective 7 views of' parts of the needle stabilizing ma chine;

Figure, 8 is a detail sectional view showing the needle clamping device,

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate examples of different kinds of work executed by the machine; v i

Figure 13 is an enlarged plan view illuscrating the tensioning means for the threads or cords; t

Figure 14 is an end elevation thereof;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the brake applying means;

Figure 16 is a detail view showing the different parts of said tensionin'g means;

Figure 17 is a detail fragmentary view showing a hand operated means for controlling the stitch torrninn operations of the needles Figure 18 is an end view, partly in section of the device shown in Figure 17. I

Embroidery machines of the type to which the present invention is applicable, are de signed to operate upon materials over a width of ten to fifteen yards, and apply the embroidery, across the entire width of the niaterial. In such machines the needles are arranged in groups, the series of needles in each group being mounted upon a sliding carriage. Heretofore, these needles have been arranged in stable or fixed relation to the carriage, and in order to change the design or' the coloring, it; was necessary to chinge the positions of the needle in the iage by hand so that only cert A needles would operate In cases Where it of then was attempted to make this change automatically, as by the use of changeable pattern plates, it was found that the necessary stability of the needles in operation could notbe maintained. Such machines operate at a speed of about 120 revolutions per minute and it was found practically impossible to produce the desired automatic change in the operation of the needles without complicating the mechanism, in View of the relatively small space within which the needles must operate. This difliculty I have succeeded in overcoming in my present invention and have provided an arrangement in which the working of the needles may be automatically changed, without complicating such machines as heretofore constructed and also maintaining the desired stability of the needles in operation.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, each needle carriage 5 is mounted to reciprocate towards and from the work upon a suitable support 6, the carriage preferably including a base section and a removable needle supporting section 7. This latter section of the carriage is provided with spaced longitudinally extending flanges 9 and 10, respectively, upon which the needle holding rods 11 are mounted for axial movement. To one end of each of these rods, the needle 12 is detachably secured by a suitable clamping device 13. The needle carriages 5 are reciprocated by a suitable actuating means 14 arranged at the rear of the carriage, and between this carriage actuating means and the needle carriages a power shaft 15 extends the entire length of the machine.

A standard 16 is also mounted rearwardly of each needle carriage and has a forked upper end 17 through which the power shaft 15 extends. Through openings in the spaced arms of the standard, the square end 19 of a shaft 18 is loosely positioned, said shaft at spaced points being journaled in the flanges 9 and 10 of the needle carriage and moving as a unit with said carriage when the latter is reciprocated. The shaft 18 is rotated by means of a worm gear 20 engaged upon the square portion 19 thereof between the arms of the fork 17 and having meshing engagement with the worm 21 on the power shaft 15.

The shaft 18 is also provided with a threaded section 22 engaged in the opening in bar 23 which extends substantially the full length of the needle carriage and is provided in its upper edge with a slot or bifurcation 24 to receive a pattern plate 25. The upper side of each of the needle carrying rods 11 has a plane or flat face 26 so as to prevent said rod turning or rotating in the supporting flanges 9 and 10. The plate 25 is formed with spaced openings 27 arranged in accord ance with the design to be worked in the material, said openings being in line with certain of the needle bars 11 so that when the plate holder 23 is moved with respect to the carriage by the rotation of the shaft 18, said plate will engage only certain of the rods 11 to cause a stitch forming movement of the needles carried thereby, while the other rods will pass through the openings 27 in said plate. The bar 23 at each side of the plate receiving channel 2% therein is likewise provided with openings corresponding in number to the number of the rods 11. As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the bar 23 has been moved forwardly and the entire series of needles with the exception of one has been actuated by the plate 25, while the single needle in line with the openings 27 in said plate has remained stationary.

In order that the needles shall move absolutely in a straight line without deviation in any direction, I have provided a stabilizing means therefor. To this end, a member 28 is fixed upon each of the rods 11 by a suitable Set screw 29. At each side of the rod, an adjustable screw or pin 30 is threaded in the member 28 and is adapted for engagement against the concave face of a spring plate 31 at the opposite ends thereof, said plate being provided with an opening through which the rod 11 extends and having a lug 32 on its upper edge which is snltably fixed to the bar 33 which is secured upon the flange 9 and guides said rod. In this bar the set screws 34: are threaded which may be adjusted into engagement with the flat faces 26 of the rods so that any one or more of said rods may be securely fixed aga nst axial movement. In addition to the spring plate 31, a coil spring 35 also surrounds each rod 11 and is initially placed under compression in the needle projecting movement of the rod before the screws 30 come into contact with the ends of said spring plate. For further stabilizing movement of the rods, I provide the coil springs 36 attached at one of their ends to the members 28 and at their other ends to the flange 10 at a point below the plane of the rods 11, said springs exerting a downward and rearward pull upon said rods. It will be apparent that owing to the provision of the spring plates 31 in conjunction with the coil springs 35 and 36, the needles are stabilized against any possible deviation from their straight line movement so that the for1nation of the embroidery stitches, will be very accurately performed.

In many embroidery designs, the material being worked is perforated, and the embroidery stitches are applied around the edges of the perforation. For the purpose of producing these openings through the material, I provide the perforators 37 on the ends of the rods 38 which are mounted for axial movement in the flanges 9 and 10 independently of the needle rods 11. The rods 38 carrying the perforators37 are normally urged rearwardcoil springs 39. Each rod 38 forwardly of needle carrying a this thread and a heavy thecarri'age is provided with a stud or pin 40 which is "engaged by the member '41 'threaded'onthe extension 42 of the shaft '18 so that when said shaft is rotated, saidineniber 4'1 is inoved longitudinally'of the shaft to thereby impart a longitudinal thrust to the rod 38 against the action of the spring 89', thus'causing'the perforator 37 to be protruded through the material.

For the purpose of applying a proper ten- 'sion'to the thiead 'andcord Which is used in Qniaking the embroidery stitches, I have devised the mechanism shown in Figs. 13, 14 and '15 "of the "drawings. In the embroidery artthere is used What are known its running stitches and cover stitches, each of Which requires a diiierent tension. It is possible with my present inipr'oven'ient to use "at one and the same time, a fine needle carrying a heavier thread. It is also p'iis'sible to yary the tension applied to the heavy thread at any time independentl of thetension-of theliner thread. The different 'th-reads to be used are carried by spools S 's'uit'iibl'y mounted and supported. Adjfaee n'tjthereto, "a threaded shaft- &3 extends thetull'lengthof the'inachine section and is mounted at its ends in suitable bearings l l. These bearings also support rods 45erranged ab'ove the plane of said shaft at opposite sides thereof. At spaced intervals plates '46 are =fixed 'upon the "shaft 43 by nuts 47. Above the shaft transversely disposed plates 48 'areengaged at their ends upon the rods 45', "stop pins 49in 'said'rods' preventing inove'lnent'ot the plates 48 thereon in one di'r'eotion' At one side of said thereto by 'the action of the tivo springs '54.

Such heayy cord isusuelly used for edging "designs in the in'aterial. The fine 'c'ot't'on thread requlr'e's a dliterent tension in certa n designs'and this tension is applied by Windin}; the cotton threads aroundfan ernery roller 55. Silk"thradsyhowever, wilrnot These convex portions 51 the proper "tension Will be niain'tairied upon the different kinds 'ofthread and cord used inthe intiChiHe. '56 indicates a braking'de vine of'any suitable t pe whereby the threaded rodorshaft- 43 be "anial lyshifted to up ply'additi'on'al pressure againstthe threads and regulate t'l'i'e feed thereof. The piessu're "of th'e'expaasion springs 5t against plate 58 "maybe independently adjusted by adjusting "the nuts '47 along the threaded rod 43, and- "have been "used in such maehines, but they have "hot teen io'und practical, since it 'Was impossible to maintain exactly the seine u'nii'o'rr'n tension on the diiieren't threads. B mvidm the adjustable screw extending the "entire length of the machine, and 0p I. I erating this screw as above described, the

ten'si'oni ng devices are s'ininltaiieously adjnst'ed so'that'exactl'y the same degree oltn- "sion isap'pli'ed toall'ofthe threa ds.

From t he' 'loiefioii'i gdesription considered "in connection With the aceonipaii'ying drawings, it is beli eye'd that the several mechanical fez-itures or present improvements will he fully 'understood. In Figures 9 to 12 or "the cnmvin s I have illustrated several extinp'les "of week of the "kind executed by an embroidery Irfa'chiiie equipped With "niy invention. Thus in'Figure '9, I have shown a lacedesign in ivhieh the en'i'broi'dei'y stitching is "applied "oh "a foundation of silk texture with a 've'ry cotton thread so 7 that thestitelies iiiiist be quite sinall and close together. The silk texture is subsequently burned away byan acid leaving a cotton "design fas the finished product. Tliere'fore'it till be appreciated that'the repentetl*oper:1tionsof th'eneedles must be absolutely exact and the tension on the threads at all tinies constant and even so as to obviate all possibility of separation of the repeated designs and damaging of the "goods. ln'the design illustrated, that section of "the lzice befween the lines A and B is What 'is'called a yne-peat, While the portion between B "and is an'8/4; repeat, the change {being automatically made in the machine the change of the pattern plates. and

without'making any change Whatever in the needles. It is possible to do this owing to the nse of "the Combined spring and einer roll tension jiVlllCh fiS applied to the threads c'arr'i'e d by "the needles. in Fig. 10, I have "shoiy nfa design in Which the operations occurring Within the space from A to C are This design may also be worked by the use of the hand operated needle controlling means shown in Figure 17 of the drawings, as it is not essential that the needle shall operate without the least vibration. hand changing device consists of the angular levers 6O pivotally mounted as at 61 upon the bar 23, one of said levers being provided for each needle. The levers are normally held with one end positioned over the opening in the bar 28 in line with the needle by means of spring 62. Thus when it is desired to prevent the operation of any one of the needles in the reciprocation of the bar 23, the lever is moved against the action of the spring 62 so as to permit the needle carrying rod to move freely through the opening in said bar. Thus any one or more of the needles 'may be rendered in operative as required in accordance with the design being worked.

In Figure 11 of the drawings I have illustrated a section of fillet lace of fine cotton which is edged in with a heavy cord and is known in the trade as the best machinemade imitation of hand made fillet lace. It will be understood, of course, that a fine needle is used for the cotton while a relatively heavy needle is used with the cord. Owing to the fact that by means of the new spring tension above described, the proper tension may be maintained on the heavy cord independently of that used on the finer cotton which is wound. around the emery roller,a very high grade product of this kind can be produced.

In Figure 12 I have illustrated a design stitch upon dress goods, in the execution of which 4/4 and 24/4 needles and perforators are used in the machine. Each of the seallops bordering the edge of the material and the flower design is in 12/4: repeat, while the openings are 24/4 repeat the change being automatically made in changing the pattern plates, and with the accurate application of the proper colors, by reason ofthe improved tensioning means.

Of course, it is apparent that my present improvements are not necessarily limited to the specific examples of work to which I have above referred to but the automatic needle control mechanism for changing the working operations of the groups of needles automatically, may be advantageously employed in the execution of .various other intricate embroidery designs upon silk, cotton or other materials in the rapid quantity production of work of this kind.

. It is also possible in the present machine to apply various ornaments to the material such as beads, buttons, braid, pearls and the like which have heretofore been attached only in machines having a fixed or stable needle and it was not possible to use an auto matic needle changing attachment such as This that herein described. However, in view of the stabilizing means which I provide for the reciprocating needles, the automatic needle controlling and changing means may be used for the attachment of such ornamental articles.

It is also to be understood that while I have herein described one satisfactory and practical embodiment of my present im provements, the same are not necessarily limited thereto and I accordingly reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes in the form, construction and relative arrangement of the several parts as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In combination with the reciprocating needle carriage of an embroidery machine and means for reciprocating said carriage, a series of spaced needle carrying rods mounted upon the carriage for independent axial movement, means yieldingly holding said rods normally in a retracted position on the carriage, means for selectively moving said needle carrying rods to cause a stitch forming operation of the needles thereon in the reciprocating movement of the carri age, said means including a holder for intor-changeable pattern plates, movable with the carriage and independently thereof, and an actuating member for said holder also mounted in said carriage and movable therewith. v 2. In combination with the reciprocating 100 needle carriage of an embroidery machine and means for reciprocating said carriage,

a series of spaced needle carrying rods mounted upon the carriage for independent axial movement, means yieldingly holding 105 said rods in retracted position on the carriage, a plate adapted. to be moved independently of the carriage to engage certain of said rods and cause a stitch forming operation of the needles thereon, said plate 110 having openings through which other needle rods are adapted to pass, and means for actuating said plate.

3. In combination with the reciprocating needle carriage of an embroidery machine and mean for reciprocating said carriage, a series of spaced needle carrying rods mounted upon the carriage for independent axial movement, means yieldingly holding said rods in retracted position on the carriage, a member movable independently of the carriage, removable means carried by said member to coact with the needle carrying rods and controlling thestitch forming operations of the respective needles, and means for actuating said member.

4. In combination with the reciprocating needle carriage of an embroidery machine and means for reciprocating said carriage, a series of spaced needle carrying rode mount ed upon the carriage for independent axial movement, a member movable independently of the carriage, removable means carried by said member to coact with the needle carrying rods and controlling the stitch forming operations of the respective needles, means for actuating said member, a perforator associated with each needle, and means for automatically actuating the perforators in the stitch forming operations of the respective needles.

5. In an embroidery machine, a needle carriage, a series of spaced needle carrying rods mounted upon said carriage, means yieldably holding the needle carrying rods in retracted position on the carriage, means for controlling the stitch forming operations of the needles, and means for stabilizing the movements of the needle carrying rods to prevent oscillation thereof with relation to said carriage.

6. In an embroidery machine, a needle carriage, a series of spaced needle carrying rods mounted upon said carriage, means for controlling the stitch forming operations of the needles, a transversely disposed member lixed upon each of said rods, a curved resilient plate secured to the carriage, adjustable pins carried by said member at each side of the rod to engage the ends of said plate, a coil spring interposed between said plate and said member, and additional springs connected to said member and to the carriage and tending to return said rod to its normal position, saidisprings and resilient plate stabilizing the working movement of the needle carrying rod with respect to said carriage.

7. In an embroidery machine, a plurality of reciprocating needle carriages extending the full length of the machine, a series of spaced needle carrying rods mounted on each carriage for independent axial movement with respect thereto, changeable pattern plates for actuating said rods and controlling the stitch t'orming movements of the needles, means for reciprocating said carriages,and means for moving the pattern plates with respect to the carriages including a common power shaft mounted between the carriages and the actuating means therefor.

8. In combination with the reciprocating needle carriage of an embroidery machine and means for reciprocating said carriage, a series of spaced needle carrying rods mounted upon the carriage for independent axial movement, a set-screw for each of said needle carrying rods whereby any one of the rods may be rigidly fixed upon the carriage, changeable pattern plates automatically actuated independently of the carriage to control the reciprocating movements of said needles in accordance with the design being embroidered, and hand operable means for changing the stitch forming operations 01'' the needles.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, 1 have signed my name hereunder.

WALTER HUELLER. 

